A report by Observer Research Foundation shows that Afghanistan faces severe hunger levels and high levels of food insecurity.

This Indian research foundation has researched the food insecurity section in 136 countries. In this research, Afghanistan is at the top of the list among South Asia countries.

“According to GHI 2022, South Asian countries reported the highest levels of stunting and wasting. These trends are worrying for a region that is home to 600 million children and where over 33 percent of the population faces extreme poverty, a situation exacerbated by the pandemic,” ORF said.

“Poor economic and social situation has affected children and has increased food insecurity because it has a direct connection with child nutrition,” said Mohammad Nasir Kazimi, a doctor.

Sidiqa, the mother of a child who faces malnutrition, their situation is concerning due to the poor economy and lack of access to enough food.

“When my child was born, he was in the hospital for 20 days and now, we came back to the hospital and it has been one week since we are here,” said Sidiqa.

A number of parents who took their children for treatment to the Indira Gandhi Hospital in Kabul said their children are suffering from malnutrition due to their poor economy and lack of enough food.

“It has been four months that my child has been sick. Doctors said that it is malnutrition and that treatment did not impact it,” said the mother of a malnourished child. 

Some doctors at Indira Gandhi Children’s Hospital said that at least four children suffering from malnutrition are taken to the hospital every day

The Ministry of Public Health said that nearly 2.8 million children and women have suffered from malnutrition in 2022.

“From the start of the year, 2.8 million children with moderate and severe malnutrition and nursing mothers were affected,” said Sharafat Zaman Amrkhil, spokesman for the Ministry of Public Health.

India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka are the countries that face food insecurity due to poor economic conditions among the people.